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IT Notes

Topic 1: Computer Overview


What is a computer?
A Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw
data as an input from the user and processes it under the
control of a set of instructions (called program), produces a
result (output), and saves it for future use.
OR
A computer is an electronic data processing device, which
accepts and stores data input, processes the data input, and
generates the output in a required format.

What are the Functionalities of a computer?


A Computer carries out the following five functions :
Step 1 Takes data as input.
Step 2 Stores the data/instructions in its memory and uses
them as required.
Step 3 Processes the data and converts it into useful
information.
Step 4 Generates the output.
Step 5 Controls all the above four steps.
What are advantages and disadvantages of computer?

Advantages of Computers
Following are certain advantages of computers.

High Speed
Computer is a very fast device.
It is capable of performing calculation of very large amount
of data.
The computer has units of speed in microsecond,
nanosecond, and even the picosecond.
It can perform millions of calculations in a few seconds as
compared to man who will spend many months to perform
the same task.

Accuracy
In addition to being very fast, computers are very accurate.
The calculations are error free.
Computers perform all jobs with 100% accuracy provided
that the input is correct.
Storage Capability
Memory is a very important characteristic of computers.
A computer has much more storage capacity than human
beings.
It can store large amount of data.
It can store any type of data such as images, videos, text,
audio, etc.

Diligence
Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony,
tiredness, and lack of concentration.
It can work continuously without any error and boredom.
It can perform repeated tasks with the same speed and
accuracy.

Versatility
A computer is a very versatile machine.
A computer is very flexible in performing the jobs to be done.
This machine can be used to solve the problems related to
various fields.At one instance, it may be solving a complex
scientific problem and the very next moment it may be
playing a card game.
Reliability
A computer is a reliable machine.
Modern electronic components have long lives.
Computers are designed to make maintenance easy.

Automation
Computer is an automatic machine.
Automation is the ability to perform a given task
automatically. Once the computer receives a program i.e.,
the program is stored in the computer memory, then the
program and instruction can control the program execution
without human interaction.
Reduction in Paper Work and Cost
The use of computers for data processing in an organization
leads to reduction in paper work and results in speeding up
the process.
As data in electronic files can be retrieved as and when
required, the problem of maintenance of large number of
paper files gets reduced.
Though the initial investment for installing a computer is
high, it substantially reduces the cost of each of its
transaction.
Disadvantages of Computers :
Following are certain disadvantages of computers.

A computer is a machine that has no intelligence to perform


any task.
Each instruction has to be given to the computer.
A computer cannot take any decision on its own.
It functions as per the users instruction, thus it is fully
dependent on humans.
The operating environment of the computer should be dust
free and suitable.
Computers have no feelings or emotions.
It cannot make judgment based on feeling, taste, experience,
and knowledge unlike humans.

What are the applications of computers in various fields


Business
Banking
Insurance
Education
Marketing
Healthcare
Engineering
Military
Communication
Government
Topic 2 :History Of Computers
The computer was invented 19th century English mathematics
professor named Charles Babbage
There are five computer generations
S.No Generation & Description
1 First Generation
The period of first generation: 1946-1959. Vacuum tube based.
2 Second Generation
The period of second generation: 1959-1965. Transistor based.
3 Third Generation
The period of third generation: 1965-1971. Integrated Circuit
based.
4 Fourth Generation
The period of fourth generation: 1971-1980. VLSI
microprocessor based.
5 Fifth Generation
The period of fifth generation: 1980-onwards. ULSI
microprocessor based.
Topic 3: Computer for Organization

Computers can be broadly classified by their speed and


computing power.
Micro Computers (Or) PC (Personal Computer):
It is a single user computer system having moderately
powerful microprocessor

Workstation:
It is also a single user computer system, similar to personal
computer however has a more powerful microprocessor.

Mini Computer:
It is a multi-user computer system, capable of supporting
hundreds of users simultaneously.

Main Frame
It is a multi-user computer system, capable of supporting
hundreds of users simultaneously. Software technology is
different from minicomputer.

Supercomputer
It is an extremely fast computer, which can execute
hundreds of millions of instructions per second.
Topic 3: Types of Softwares
Software is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a
well-defined function. A program is a sequence of instructions
written to solve a particular problem.

There are two types of software


System Software
Application Software

System Software
The system software is a collection of programs designed
to operate, control, and extend the processing capabilities
of the computer itself. These software products comprise
of programs written in low-level languages, which interact
with the hardware at a very basic level. System software
serves as the interface between the hardware and the end
users.
Eg: Operating System, Compilers, Interpreter, Assemblers,
etc.
Application Software
Application software products are designed to satisfy a
particular need of a particular environment. All software
applications prepared in the computer lab can come under the
category of Application software.
Eg: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint&
all user programs

Topic 4: Hardware Components


Hardware represents the physical and tangible components of
a computer, i.e. the components that can be seen and touched.

Examples of Hardware are the following

Input devices keyboard, mouse, etc.

Output devices printer, monitor, etc.

Secondary storage devices Hard disk, CD, DVD, etc.

Internal components CPU, motherboard, RAM, etc.


Topic 5: Storage Devices
Storage devices are devices which store data and
instructions
Computer memory is the storage space in the computer,
where data is to be processed and instructions required
for processing are stored.

Memory is primarily of three types

Cache Memory
Primary Memory/Main Memory
Secondary Memory

Cache Memory
Cache memory acts as a buffer between the CPU and the main
memory. It is used to hold those parts of data and program
which are most frequently used by the CPU. The parts of data
and programs are transferred from the disk to cache memory
by the operating system, from where the CPU can access them.

Primary Memory (Main Memory)


Primary memory holds only those data and instructions on
which the computer is currently working. It has a limited
capacity and data is lost when power is switched off. These
memories are not as fast as registers. The data and instruction
required to be processed resides in the main memory. It is
divided into two subcategories RAM and ROM.
RAM: RAM (Random Access Memory) is the internal
memory of the CPU for storing data, program, and
program result. It is a read/write memory which stores
data until the machine is working. As soon as the machine
is switched off, data is erased.
ROM: ROM stands for Read Only Memory. The memory
from which we can only read but cannot write on it. This
type of memory is non-volatile. The information is stored
permanently in such memories. A ROM stores such
instructions that are required to start a computer.

Secondary Memory
This type of memory is also known as external memory or non-
volatile. It is slower than the main memory. These are used for
storing data/information permanently. CPU directly does not
access these memories, instead they are accessed via input-
output routines. The contents of secondary memories are first
transferred to the main memory, and then the CPU can access
it.
For example, disk, CD-ROM, DVD, etc.

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